Would you buy a pistol length single stage press

[Harter66]

Look at the post count , I ain't selling nothin'.

I'm wondering if a single stage press like a modified Partner press would sell for the express use of pistol loading .
Something with the camover at the bottom but with a shorter stroke say 2.5" instead of 4+" . I've looked at "just resetting a Lee handle", seems like I even tried it on a couple that came and went . I think the answer lays in an actual shorter throw press for all of the .77-1.35" cases (the Casaull is right there isn't it?).

Since the Partner , RC, RCII , Big Max , Lee turret and a Lyman Crusher are all I have recent/sufficient experience with ..... wait there were a couple really old "C" presses too maybe a Spartan and a Pacific .......

Maybe a handle stop on an old upstroke "C " press is the simplest way to get what I'm talking about.

If applied to a light "0" frame is there any interest or is it just a novelty ? If applied to a progressive or turret type of press maybe ?

[MT Chambers]

Any press that I buy would have to be super strong with no aluminum or pot metal, so for a dedicated pistol press a down sized Co-ax would work.

[jaguarxk120]

As I recall at one time there was a pistol press made.
Smaller throat opening and shorter ram movement.

[skeettx]

A C-H "H" press is wonderful for doing short stuff
Mike

[Preacher Jim]

A harrels ppc length press would do what you want they are not cheap but strong and short stroke.

[country gent]

On the lee presses with the adjustable handle a hose clamp around the ram on the right place and adjusting the handle to where it should be will give a good idea of how it will work. on the lee turrets with the 3 rods shorter rods could be made to lower/ shorten press, then new links to adjust stroke. It is a viable idea for a dedicated postol press. The shorter stroke and maintaining the same leverage would require less movement of the handle. Where the "shorter" press and stroke would really shine is sizing bullets those 3-4" stroes to push a bullet thru the sizing die when 1-1 1/4 is needed is a lot of wasted motion.

[redhawk0]

Along these lines...I'd love to see a Ram extension for the full stroke press. Something that slides into the shell holder slot but is about 2-2.5" long that has a shell holder on the top for the shorter cases. Generally, a half stroke press. It would give my press a more enjoyable feel when doing pistol cartridges. I'm not a machinist or I'd have made one a long time ago.

redhawk

[DonMountain]

I use a dedicated Antique Pacific C press just for the manner in which you describe loading short pistol cases. For the short stroke parts of the reloading I just let the handle come down and stop in my lap or on my leg while my two hands are grabbing cases, primer, or bullets to put on top of the ram.

[Tatume]

Along these lines...I'd love to see a Ram extension for the full stroke press. Something that slides into the shell holder slot but is about 2-2.5" long that has a shell holder on the top for the shorter cases. Generally, a half stroke press. It would give my press a more enjoyable feel when doing pistol cartridges. I'm not a machinist or I'd have made one a long time ago.

redhawk

I've seen these. I can't remember where, but they are out there.

[ShooterAZ]

Here's a link to one on Midway. Might not be long enough though...

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1011036653/hornady-universal-extended-shellholder

[Harter66]

PJim boy howdy you ain't kidding ! $208

C Gent that's exactly what I was thinking about .

I don't think that even the leverage would be a big deal . I don't need a lot of leverage for 380 ,9 mm , 40 , 38/357 , 45s etc . I don't load 1000s , but if I could throw 8" instead 14-18" I could maybe run 150 in just a little more time than 100 on say a RCII .

[redhawk0]

Here's a link to one on Midway. Might not be long enough though...

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1011036653/hornady-universal-extended-shellholder

Much appreciated...I just bought one. I never searched for Shell holder extension...I always used Ram Extension in my search and never came up with anything.

I'll have one next week.

redhawk

[Char-Gar]

There many old iron presses out there, that never wear out and don't cost an army and a leg. I am partial to the Pacific C and Super C presses as that is what I started with in 1958. I don't know what a "pistol length" press is, as these presses will take full length magnum rifle cases. The one is the pic is circa 1935.

[jaguarxk120]

The Handloaders Digest 5th edition (1970) lists the Fall Precision Reloader PR-7 press
It listed for $27.95, 3 5/8 opening, "O" type press.

[Harter66]

Char-Gar , I think I noted that an up stroke press might fill the need .
Its cumbersome to run the Big Max A4 to size 380 and a 25 ACP or 5.7 would just look silly in that big honking press . So a more svelte 3/4" ram with say 2.5" of vertical travel instead of the more common 4+ inches would be great on my bench . I have enough press to make 22 Loudenboomerearcanspliter from 50 BMG with 2 step dies and with the Big Max I could probably make 250 Savage from 06' in one pass although from 243 or 7mm-08 would make more sense .
I'm thinking I don't always need 200 ftlbs and 4" of throw there are a lot of applications for 2.5" and 100ft . That is what I was looking for . That and I guess the thing I don't like about Lee is that they don't have a positive stop that proves it's 100% of throw .

[ulav8r]

Made an extended shell holder about 10 years ago. Used it in my Texan to reload 380. Worked quite well.

I had seen extended shell holders, but made mine to use standard shell holders so one extension can be used for any short cartridge.

[Char-Gar]

I doubt if a press such as you envision would find much of a market. Folks are looking for a high production pistol press or a do-all rifle and pistol press. Such a press would be cute and compact, but not very marketable. At least in my opinion.

[Bazoo]

I agree with Char-Gar. I Load everything on either a single stage press, or a lee hand press. If I was going to get a dedicated pistol only press, I'd want faster production than the single stage affords. With a C press, you can make short work of processing pistol brass however, and the extra stroke length doesnt hinder me at all. In fact, the extra stroke length makes me able to adjust the brass an extra split second as my other hand is running the handle.

[Pressman]

The Handloaders Digest 5th edition (1970) lists the Fall Precision Reloader PR-7 press
It listed for $27.95, 3 5/8 opening, "O" type press.

They also made just the press the OP is asking about. A half size C press for handguns only, and maybe 222 but nothing larger. It was cast iron with an aluminum model in the works when they went out of business.

PRC 3.
Ken

[dverna]

I will never reload pistol calibers on a single stage press. I cannot imagine a better way to market something guaranteed to fail.

[mattw]

No, I would not... I load a 10 or 12 ammo cans full of pistol stuff every winter on a Rock Chucker and I do not want to mount a mini press other than my 1 partner press that does about 80% of my priming work. Winter for me is casting and loading season. Do not enjoy progressive presses, never get comfortable that the charge is right or that this or that is right. With the chucker... no doubt.

[CamoWhamo]

Along these lines...I'd love to see a Ram extension for the full stroke press. Something that slides into the shell holder slot but is about 2-2.5" long that has a shell holder on the top for the shorter cases. Generally, a half stroke press. It would give my press a more enjoyable feel when doing pistol cartridges. I'm not a machinist or I'd have made one a long time ago.

redhawk

RCBS make extended shell holders that are almost exactly that.
The difference is they are shell holders so you'd have to buy one of each size you load for.
It would be good if they had a universal shell holder mount though.

[EDG]

All you need is a press with less mechanical advantage over the first half of the travel. This results in the ram moving further and faster for less movement of the handle. The RCBS Jr works well for loading pistol ammo. Contrary to the volume reloaders opinions you can reload short pistol rounds one at a time with a little patience.

I have a Harrells magnum length press. While the PPC might seem ok for pistol rounds it is not very strong. I don't think the linkage would handle anything but neck sizing and bullet seating.

[Guesser]

I've used several full sized presses over the years, Herters, Lee Challenger, RockChucker, couple Lymans and a Pacific. I load maybe 100 rounds of rifle a year, 7MM-08, 38-55, 32 W.S. I traded into a new Redding Boss a couple years ago, didn't want it, didn't need it and it layed under the bench for a year. Then I was asked if I knew of a used RC for sale. I thought about 10 seconds and said yeah, and pointed at the one on my bench. It went away. I mounted the little Redding in a better location than the RC had been in and never looked back. It has a sweet stroke, and is very smooth and the little magnetic box looks like an after thought but it is the best primer catcher I have ever used on a mounted press. Redding Boss.....all the way!!!!

[mdi]

A press only for short cartridges? Nope, I wouldn't buy one. Even reloading 100 rounds + on my Co-Ax, with it's long stroke is no reason for a dedicated press, IMO. When I tire of the long stroke, I just install a short handle or grip the yoke. Mebbe if I had an 18' long bench with 5 other presses mounted I might have a need/want for a short stroke press.

I looked at the adapter on the Midway site, but they don't give any dimensions, so I would prolly not purchase one of those either....

[country gent]

In industry presses strokes are size to the dies set and thickness of the parts. WIth a thin part and short die set the shorter stroke results in several pluses. 1) less wear do to lowered movement and friction. A 6" stroke for 1/8" parts is a lot of wasted motion, a 2" stroke for 1/8" parts saves 4" movement and increases strokes per minute at the same speed. 2) More accurate movement due to machine members in ways and or guides better. 3) easier lubrication maintained. 4) less wear is incurred with lowered friction heat issues.

On a reloading press the shorter stroke could give gains in several areas. 1) increased leverage with the same handle movement. 2) quicker operation with the same leverage. 3) shorter handle throw with the same leverage. 4) less fatigue to the operator due to shorter handle movement. Again all pluses.

The lee set up on their presses lends itself to setting up for this. A hose clamp or stop collar on the ram to make stop for down stroke and then adjust handle for same. This will give the upper end leverage the press originally had and the shortened stroke.

[LUBEDUDE]

I know a guy that only loaded 38s on his RL1050. So he short stroked the operation to save on time and motion.

[Mr_Sheesh]

That ram extension's a neat thing - I have #3 RCBS extended shell holders for my 45ACP shot shell die sets but had never seen the ram extension. I foresee getting one for the other shotshells I'll be making LOL- Oh and it's $4.99 on Amazon with an order over $25 to make postage free, if you do Amazon. (I find myself frustrated with a few companies that're being idiots lately!)

[Green Frog]

I guess this thread gets at the reason I still have and use my TruLine Jr presses. Other than lacking power for FL resizing my brass, they are scaled just right for my 32S&W Longs, for instance.

Froggie